Machines for applying pressure to shoe bottoms



March 19,4 1963 w. A. BARKER MACHINES FOR .PPLYING` PRESSURE TO SHOE BOTTOMS 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7, 1959 By his Aorney March 19, 1963 w. A. BARKER MACHINES FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOE BOTTOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1959 March 19, 1963 w. A. BARKER MACHINES FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOE BOTTOMS Filed Jan. '7, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 y United States Patent Office i 3,081,468 Patented Mar. 19, 1963 3,081,468 MACHINES FR APPLYING PRESSURE T SHOE BOTTOMS William Arthur Barker, Leicester, England, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, NJ.,

a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 785,405 Claims priority, application Great Britain Feb. 11, 1958 .20 Claims. (Cl. 1Zl6.2)

This invention relates to improvements in machines and apparatus for applying pressure in laying and attaching outsoles to the bottom surfaces of cement shoes to the heel seat portions of which high heels already are attached, and simultaneously for applying pressure in llaying and attaching to the heel breast covering flaps split from the outsoles, in a manner corresponding generally to that disclosed in co-pending applications for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 91,547 filed `February 24, 1961, now Patent No. 3,055,027, original filed` September 24, 1958, in the name of Helge Gulbrandsen, and Serial No. 777,979 tiled December 3, 1958, in the name of Anton Mhlbach.

Present day procedures in the manufacture of womens shoes which include so-called Louis or other type high heels require their breast faces to be covered by flaps split from the outsoles, so that the outsole forepa-rts and the breast flaps may be attached simultaneously by suitable adhesive in a single operation. Experience in cement sole attachment to shoe bottoms has indicated that very effective resul-ts are obtained, both as to the security of the bond between the parts, and as to the absence of any undesirable rounded appearance on the bottom of the shoe forepart, if the outsole/s are pressed against the shoe lbottoms by solid resilient pad-s, such as those disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,047,185, granted July 14, 1936, in the name of M. H. Ballard et al., and No. 2,810,142 granted October 22, 1957, in the name of Helge Gulbrandsen, rather than by the use of air or other fluid-filled pads. However, when operating upon Louis-type heels simultaneously with the attachment` of the forepart of an outsole, the use of a breast flap pressing pad of a more adaptable nature than the forepart pad becomes necessary in order to enable shoes having heels of Varying heights, sizes and styles to be processed. Moreover, sole-attaching cements of the socalled neoprene type are frequently used for attaching outsoles to shoe bottoms and if such cements also are to be used for attaching breast flaps to heels it becomes desirable to bring the successive portions of a ap progressively and correctly against the breast face of the heel, inasmuch as little opportunity is likely to 'be afforded for later correcting any misplacernent of the flap.

An object of the present invention is to provide a conveniently controlled apparatus which will fulfill the requirements in a machine for attaching an outsole to a Louis heel shoe effectively and without necessity for difficult adjustments. The apparatus in the machine fulfilling these particulars, includes a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and -holding devices mounted in Va frame for the machine opposite the pad box, pressure applying means for moving a pad `box inthe iframe toward the holding devices, and, in addition, a separate fluid containing shank pad also mounted in the pad box to act progressively on an outsole and heel breast ap along an `area extending rearwardly with a pres-sure beginning at the ball of a shoe and continuing along the shank to the heel `seat portion of the shoe bottom. Thereafter, the pressure is continued downwardly along the breast of the heel. Preferably, pressure of the shoe on the forepart pad transmits pressure to an underlying second fluid-containing pad in such a Way that some of the fluid therein is forced into the shank pressing pad.

In its illustrated form the shoe shank and heel breast pressing pad is normally collapsed and has a re-entrant snail-like surface providing a `cavity fitting the breast and sides of a heel, so that when introducing fluid under pressure to the shank pad it expands with a progressively rolling action along the shoe from the ball upwardly into the shank and downwardly along the base of the heel and the curved heel breast. ln this way a combined wiping and pressing action is obtained, which is not unlike that to be expected from a corresponding movement of a mans hand in laying and stroking a shank portion and a heel breast flap of an outsole in place along the shoe bottom.

Other features ofthe invention comprise means for engaging the rearwardly curved surface of .the heel, which means is shaped to support the heel against displacement from its seat on the shoe bottom and to prevent it from; being distorted permanently as a result of the pressure applied to the heel during attachment of the breast flap. The heel supporting means normally occupies an inoperative rearwardly withdrawn position, but it is moved Aforwardly into supporting engagement with the heel when the operator starts the machine in operation. The heel-supporting means consists of a third fluidcontaining dilatable pad connected to the underlying second iluid-containing pad by a pipe which transmits pressure to the heel-supporting pad at the same time as the lfluid is forced into the shank and breast flap attaching pad, the pressures applied to the heel breast and the rearward surface of the heel being substantially balanced. In this `way no displacing or distorting force is applied to the heel.

These and other features of the invention, as hereinafter claimed, will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed specification, taken in :connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away and shown in section, of portions of a machine having a pad box with a shoe thereon, illustrating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of a fluid-'containing dilatable pad utilized in the machine of FIG. 1, a portion of which pad has been broken away to illustrate more readily the internal snail-like configuration and construction;

FIG. 3 is a -side view taken in full longitudinal section ofa pad box with a shoe thereon;

FIG. 4 is an end view, partly broken away and shown in section, looking from the rea-r of the pad -box with the shoe removed; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary View partly broken aW-ay and in section of certain of the parts illustrated in lFICi. 3, showing the positions assumed when a downwardly yielding platform for the heel of a shoe is pressed rearwardly.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is intended for operation upon a cement shoe, to the bottom of which there is already attached a Louis or other similar type high heel. The Louis heel shoe is shown in FIG. l by the dot-dash lines at 10 with a heel 12 formed with a base of relatively large area as compared to the tread surface of the heel. The heel is temporarily attached by a single nail or at most by two nails passing from the inside heel portion of the shoe into the heel 12 in a manner more particularly described in the Gulbrandsen and Mhlbach applications. Also, a layer of adhesive is applied to the heel seat, indicated at 14, on the shoe and to the base surface of the heel, so that when these parts are pressed together a firm bond will result. Ordinarily, the shoe is otherwisev prepared by covering the bottom surface of the shoe, including the breast surface of the heel with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.

To complete the shoe construction before introduction into the machine an outsole 16 is laid along the forepart of the shoe, the rearward end of which outsole is reduced to form a breast flap. During operation of the machine the outsole 16 is pressed into intimate contact with the adhesive on the shoe bottom and the flap is secured against the breast of the heel l2 with simultaneous pressures thus giving a continuous bond throughout the combined areas of the sole and flap with a smooth regular appearance.

Referring to llG, l of the drawings, the machine is provided with a frame in which is mounted a composite pad in a box having a main part 18 and an angularly adjustable shank pad supporting part 2i), the angular adjustment of which is obtained by 4manipulating a handle 22 attached to one end of a stud 24 formed integrally with the pad box part 20, the stud 24 passing through a bearing lug on the main pad box part i8, To retain the angular adjustment of the adjustable pad box part 20, the handle 22 carries a spring pressed pin 26 engageable with any one of a number of indentations in the main pad box part.

The pad box and other apparatus illustrated in FIG. l. is intended for use with a two-station sole bottom pressing machine having another pad box similar to that illustrated and is equipped with pressing and holding means in the form of a fluid actuator for applying pressure to each shoe of a pair and for simultaneously pressing a heel breast flap portion of the outsole against the breast face of the heel i2. To press the outsole 16 against the shoe bottom and the rearward reduced flap at the end of the outsole against the heel breast face, holding means are located opposite each pad box and comprise a pair of toeand heel-engaging devices 2S and 3i? toward which the pad box is relatively movable either in the manner described in the patent to Ballard et al., identified above or in United States Letters Patent No. 2,716,766, granted September 6, 1955, upon application of Helge Gulbrandsen.

The main forepart portion 1S of the pad box illustrated is generally similar in its construction to the part referred to as the bottom part l() in the Gulbrandsen patent No. 2,810,142. Within the main pad box part S there is mounted a forepart pad 32 of solid rubber having a compressibility of high durometer rating. The rearward end of the pad 32 has a tail portion 34 extending into the shank pad supporting part 20, so as to provide a smooth contour between the main forepart pad and the shank pad. Beneath the pad 32 is a second compressible layer 36 for modifying the action of the pad 32. The shank pad box part Ztl is recessed to receive the lower end of a shank pad in the form of a first hollow dilatable water or other huid-containing shank pad 3S of rubber, having a nipple 4t). The main forepart pad box portion 13 has downwardly extending elements resting on the upper surface of a second hollow pressure receiving water or other fluid-containing pad 42 formed with an upper llat diaphragm portion engaging in lluid tight relationship the upper surface of a sealing gasket 44 secured to a hollow platform pad box base 46 by a series of screws 48 surrounding the outer edge of the diaphragm portion of the pad 42. Running through the side of the pad box base 46 is a nipple 5) connected by a flexible pipe or hose 51 with the nipple ttl in the dilatable shank pad 38. It will be appreciated that, if the pad box part f8 presses on the underlying fluid-containing pad 42, it develops a pressure therein and some lof the fluid will be forced out of the pad 42 through the pipe 51 leading to the pad 38, thus causing the pressure of the fluid within the pad 3S to increase and bring about an expansion of this latter pad. To enable the pad box part l to move freely in a vertical direction in the base lid, it is pivotally connected to the base by a pair of horizontal parallel links 52.

The dilatable fluid-containing shank pad 33, according to a feature of the invention, comprises a molded hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove 53 having, in its normal relaxed condition, a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the Louis heel i2, the re-entrant groove terminating in a shelf 54, to fit beneath and to engage the tread surface on the heel. lies in line with the adjacent edges of the cheeks on the pady so as to abut against the end face of the tail portion 34 of the forepart pad 32. Above the wall portion 55 the surface of the pad 3S engages the shoe shank above the ball portion and the upper base of a heel along that portion beginning to curve downwardly into the heel breast face. For a purpose which will be describedl the wall portion indicated at 56 within the re-entrant area possesses a somewhat greater wall thickness where it cngages the heel breast. To avoid injury to the surfaces of the pads 32 and 38 there is laid over them a leather covering strip 5S bridging across the re-entrant portions of the shank pad 3S. When the pad box 1S presses on the underlying fluid-containing pad ft2, the pressure of the fluid developed within the pad d2 causes it to be forced through the pipe 5l into the pad 38. The pad 33 then expands causing the re-entrant portion to conform itself with the covering strip 58 while the upper forward portion presses the covering strip into contact with the shoe shank beginning with an area close to the ball of the shoe and spreading along the shank upwardly toward the base of the heel. As the expansion of the shank pad 3S continues pressure is exerted downwardly along the curved heel breast, thus providing a combined wiping and pressing action, which is not unlike that produced in laying and stroking the heel breast flap in place manually. The presence of the thickened wall portion 55 ensures that the re-entrant portion 53 will expand first, after which the portion S6 engages the heel base and heel breast face and rolls progressively into contact with the heel. When the pressure on the shoe bottom is released the natural tendency of the shank pad is to return to its normal uncompressed condition, thereby causing the fluid to drain through the pipe 5l into the pad 42, the shank pad 38 reassuming its collapsed position shown in FIG. 2.

To enable a shoe to be located initially at a position where the best results will be obtained upon application of pressure to the shoe, the tread surface of the heel l2 rests upon a downwardly yielding platform 60 projecting at the forward end of a hollow rectangular bar 62, slidingly mounted in an approximately horizontal direction in a guideway block 64. As is evident from the construetion of FIG. l, the platform 60 is located above the level of the shelf 54 on the pad E3, so that when the pad 38 expands the shelf will rise into engagement with a forward edge along the tread surface of the heel. The guideway block 64 is also mounted for vertical movement on the pad box base 46 by a pair of pivotally connected parallel links 66 and 63, the link 68 having connected to it an extension spring '70 stretched between the link and a pin 72 which also passes through a bearing in the base 46 to form one of the pivots for the links The action of the spring 70 is to thrust the guideway block 64 upwardly relatively to the pad box base 46 to a limited extent while enabling relative yielding movement of the platform 60 to take place in accommodation for heels of different heights, thus avoiding excessive pressure on the thread surface of the heel.

An important factor in all machines for attaching outsoles and breast flaps to Louis heel shoes is in the provision of means for olfsetting lateral or rearward pressures on the heel of a shoe exerted by the shank and heel breast pad. As in the machine of the Gulbrandsen and Mhlbach applications, the means for offsetting and resisting the lateral or rearward pressures of the shank pad in the present machine consists of a heel-supporting pad arranged to be moved forwardly of the shoe from an in- A further wall portion 55 of the pad 33' operative position rearwardly of the shoe heel into engagement with the rearward surface of the heel at the beginning of a sole-attaching operation.

Instead of utilizing a heel-supporting pad of `solid rubber or other similar compressible material, the machine of the present invention provides a third hollow dilatable water or other fluid-containing rubber pad 74, shaped to surround the rearward curved surface of the heel 12. To enable the shoe to be applied to the sole and shank pads readily and to be removed promptly after a sole pressing operation is completed, the pad 74 is mounted within a hollow metal cradle 75 pivoted at 76 on a carriage 78 slidingly mounted for forward and rearward movement on a guideway formed on the upper portion of the guide- Way block 64. Within a hollow enlargement on the carriage 78 is a compression lspring 79 acting on the cradle to swing the pad and cradle about the cradle pivot 76 toward the heel of the shoe being operated upon.

To prevent the rearward surface of the heel or the supporting pad 714 from becoming abraded as a result of relative movement between the shoe and the pad, the platform 60 moves with the shoe and causes the guideway block 64 on which the supporting pad carriage is mounted to be moved with the platform. The movement of the guideway block 64 relatively to the pad box 18 causes the parallel links 66 and 68 to swing about their pivots between the guideway block and the pad box base 46. Accordingly, there is no relative vertical movement between the heel 12 and the heel-supporting pad 74.

To move and to hold the heel-supporting pad in a forward position at the beginning of a sole-attaching operation, and to return it rearwardly to an inoperative position, the carriage 78 has suitable connections between it and the pad box base 46. For this purpose the carriage has pivotally mounted upon it at 80 a bell crank 81, a downwardly extend-arm of which isH connected pivotally with one end of a horizontal link I'32, the other end of whichis similarly connected to one arm of a bell crank 84 rotatably `mounted on a pin VA86 secured at its ends in opstanding side walls of the pad bo'x base 46. Another arm of the bell'crank 84 is pivotally connected at its upper end through a link 88 to a slotted block 90. The link 88 is located within the slot of the slotted block 90, which has a reduced headed end slidingly connected in a plate 92. The plate 92 is, in turn, secured to the frame of the machine, indicated at 94, toward and from which the pad box base 46 is guided for'movement relatively to the toeand heel-engaging devices 28 and 301.

To prevent breakage in the connections between the pad box base and the frame of the machine after the heelsupporting pad 74 has been brought into engagement with the shoe heel 12, the reduced end of the slotted block 90 has surrounding it between its head and the plate 92 a compression spring 95. As the pad box base 46 moves *the shoe toward the toeand heel-engaging members 28 and 30, the bell crank 84 is rotated about the pin 86 moving the pad 74 from the solid line position into the dot-dash line position in engagement with the shoe heel. This occurs before any-substantial pressure is applied to the shoe. In moving the heel supporting pad 74 toward the shoe, the link 82 draws a rearwardly extending locking pawl 96 formed as an arm of the bell crank 81 into engagement with a series of ratchet teeth 98 -xed to the guideway block 64. Engagement of the pawl 96 with the ratchet teeth 98 prevents rearward movement of the supporting pad 74 away from the heel 12. As the heelsupporting pad 74 comes into enga-gement with the rearward surface of the heel 12, the cradle 75 is rocked rearwardly about its pivot 76 in a clockwise direction against the spring 79 (FIG. l), causing a hooked pawl 100 secured to the cradle to be moved into engagement with one of a second series of ratchet teeth 102 on the block 64, the spring 95 yielding after the pawl 100l engages the teeth 102. The pawl 100 andthe ratchet teeth 102 when brought into engagement arrest further forward motion of the pad 74 toward the shoe heel, so that only a relatively light yielding pressure is exerted on a forward direction against the heel before the full attaching pressure is applied to the shoe by the engagement of the toeand heel-supporting devices 28 and 30. The means for applying pressure on the shoe actuates the pad box base 46 with its pads in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the shoe sole to move it upwardly and to bring the shoe on the pads carried thereby into engagement with the toeand heel-engaging devices. As illustrated, the pressure applying means corresponds to that employed in the Gulbrandsen Patent No. 2,716,766, in which there is secured to the pad box base the upper end of a piston 103 slidingly mounted for vertical movement in a cylinder formed in the portion of the machine frame 94. When the machine is started in operation hydraulic pressure is exerted on the lower end of the piston causing it to rise from the frame 94 carrying with it the pad box and shoe. After engagement of the shoe with the toeand heel-engaging devices 28 and 30, the base and pad box continue to move, forcing the shoe bottom into the pad with suicient pressure to accomplish the desired results. The pressure applying means thus actuates both the shoe vertically against the toe and heel supporting devices and one of the pads relatively toward another in a direction longitudinally of the shoe.

To dilate the heel-supporting pad 74 it has projecting from its rearward surface a nipple 104 entering into one end of a flexible pipe or hose 106, the other end of which surrounds a nipple 10:8 connected with the seconddluid containing pad 42, so that after the pad 74 is brought into operative engagement with the heel 12 uid under presl sure may be forced into the pad 74 at the same time and at the saine rate as it is forced into the shank pad 38 with the result that the pressures applied to the breast and rearward surfaces of the heel 12 are equalized and the forces are substantially balanced, the interconnected pipe system helping to determine the momentary pressures in the several fluid containing pads as the operation progresses. Since the heel-supporting pad 74 is mounted on the guideway block 64 it moves with the heel tread engaging platform 60 during the sole-attaching operation. For this reason no relative movement takes place between the pad 74 and the shoe heel 12 to abrade the rearward surface of the heel or to disturb the balance of forces on the heel. Accordingly, a uniform and reliable support is provided for the heel against the pressures of the dilatable shank pressing pad 38. Also, during the `sole-attaching operation after the pad 38 has expanded, the forward e'nd of the platform 60, which may protrude somewhat into the groove 53v of the shank pad and beyond the plane of the heel breast face, is in a position to be pressed rearwardly by the expansion of the shank pad 38 actingon the breast tiap (see FIG. 5). For this purpose the hollow bar 62 having the platform 60 has a mounting to enable sliding rearward movement in the guideway block 64 against the action of a compression spring 1101 mounted Vwithin the bar and confined between the end of the hollow section `in the bar and a cross pin 112 extending through the guideway for the bar and a vertical slot in lthe bar, so that as the bar moves rearwardly the pin compresses the spring 110. Thus, the -shelf 54 of the pad displaced the platform 60 and supports the tread surface of the heel.

The construction and manner of operation of the ma-v chine described is such (a) that a solid pressing -pad acts upon the forepart of a shoe sole while a separate shank and breast tiap pressing pad acts as a consequence of the development of pressure between the shoe and the solid forepart pressing pad to cause the `separate shank and breast ap pad to exert a pressure progressing from the `shank to the heel seat end of the sole and thence against -the breast face of the heel; or (b) that a solid forepart pressing pad acts against a shoe bottom, a separate shank and breast ap pressing pad acts against the breast of a heel on the shoe and means connected with the shank and breast pad forces it toward the heel after (1) pressure has been developed between the forepart pad and the shoe, and (2) a third heel-supporting pad has been brought into engagement with the rearward surface of the heel to support it against the pressure of the shank and breast flap pad.

While the illustrated form of the invention corresponds substantially with that of the patent to Gulbrandsen No. 2,716,766, in which the pad box base and shoe supported thereon are moved relatively to the frame of the machine toward and from the toeand heel-engaging devices 28 and 30, it is obvious that advantageous use also may be obtained for the features of the invention when incorporated in a machine having its pad box base rigidly secured to machine frame in which the toeand heel-engaging devices 28 and 30 are movable to impart pressure to the shoe as in the Ballard et al. Patent No. 2,047,185. The Huid-containing pads 38, 42, and '74, preferably contain water as their pressure transfer medium, which is commonly employed in machines of the type to which the present invention relates.

The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated and particular embodiments thereof having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a separate pad means containing iluid in the pad box acting progressively on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad with a pressure beginning at the ball of the shoe and continuing along the shank to the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom.

2. A machine for applying pressure to high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a separate pad means containing fluid in the pad box acting progressively on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad with a pressure beginning at the ball of the shoe continuing along the shank to the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, and along the breast of the heel.

3. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a separate pad means containing fluid in the pad box acting progressively on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad with a pressure beginning at the ball of the shoe continuing along the shank to the heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, and a second fluid-containing pad connected to the rst-rnentioned fluid-containing pad and located in a position underlying the forepart pad to force fluid into the shank pad in accordance with the pressure on the shoe bottom.

4. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a dilatable shank pad comprising a hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove having a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the heel to act progressively on an outsole upwardly along an area extending rearwardly of the ball of the shoe engaging the forepart pad and downwardly along the breast on the heel.

5. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom' and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, Said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-enaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a dilatable shank pad comprising a hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove having a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the heel to act progressively on an outsole upwardly along an area extending rearwardly of the ball of the shoe engaging the forepart pad and downwardly along the breast on the heel, the re-entrant groove terminating in a shelf to fit beneath and to engage the tread surface of the heel.

6. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a dilatable fluid-containing shank pad comprising a hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove having a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the heel, the re-entrant groove terminating in a shelf to t beneath and to engage the tread surface on the heel.

7. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a dilatable fluid-containing shank pad comprising a hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove having a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the heel, the re-entrant groove terminating in a shelf to fit beneath and to engage the tread surface on the heel, and a downwardly yielding platform in the pad box base for supporting the tread surface of the heel above the level of the shelf on the pad to enable the shelf on the pad to rise into engagement with the tread surface on the heel.

8. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom', said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure-applying means in the frame ademas for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices, in combination with a dilatable fluidcontaining shank pad comprising a hollow body of rubber formed with two outside cheeks and between the cheeks a central peripheral re-entrant groove having a snail-like configuration shaped to engage the breast surface of the heel, the re-entrant groove terminating in a shelf to tit beneath and to engage the tread surface on the heel, a downwardly yielding platform in the pad box base for supporting the tread surface of the heel above the level of the shelf on the pad to enable the shelf on the pad to rise into engagement with the tread surface on the heel, and a sliding mounting for the platform in the base to enable the platform to be pressed rearwardly by the expension of the shank pad during the sole-pressing operation.

9. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine havinga frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure to the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad containing fluid in the pad box acting on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad, and means for resisting lateral pressure of the shank pad on the heel comprising a hollow diiatable pad to surround the rearwardly curved surface of the heel, and means for moving the heel-supporting pad toward and from the heel o f the shoe to enable the shoe to be applied to the sole and shank pad readily and to be removed promptly after an attaching operation is completed. l

l0. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom', said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure to the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad containing fluid in the pad box acting on an outsole along an area of the i shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad, and means for resisting lateral pressure of the shank pad on the heel comprising a hollow dilatable pad to surround therearwardly curved surface of the heel,` means for moving the heel-supporting pad toward and `from the heel of the shoe, comprising a carriage for the heel-supporting pad slidingly mounted for movement in the pad box base, and connections between the pad lbox base and the machine frame for actuating the carriage.

l1. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled 10 riage for the heel-supporting pad slidingly mounted for movement in the pad box base, connections between the pad box base and the machine frame for actuating the carriage, and a locking pawl actuated by said connections to prevent movement of the heel-supporting pad away from the shoe heel.

l2. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoebottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure to the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad containing fluid in the pad box acting on an outsole along an area of the 'shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad, and means for resisting lateral pressure of the shank pad on the heel comprising a hollow dilatable pad to surround the rearwardly curved surface of the heel, means for moving the heel-supporting pad toward and from the heel of the shoe, comprising a carriage for the heel-supporting pad slidingly mounted for movement in the pad box base, connections between the pad box base and the machine frame for actuating the carriage, a hollow cradle within which the heel-supporting pad is mounted and which is pivoted on the carriage, yielding means for actuating the heel-supporting pad yieldingly in a forward direction toward the heel of a shoe about the pivot on the carriage, and a pawl on the cradle to arrest forward motion of the pad toward the shoe heel as a relatively light yielding pressure is exerted against the heel.

13. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said Y machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure on the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad acting on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad,V and means for resisting rearward pressure of the shank-engaging pad on the heel, comprising a third pad surrounding the rearshoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel v attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure to the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad containing fluid in the pad box acting on an outsole along an area of the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad, and means for resisting lateral pressure of the shank pad on the heel comprising a hollow dilatable pad to surround the rearwardly curved surface of the heel, means for moving the heel-supporting pad toward and from the heel of the shoe, comprising a carward `curved surface of the heel, a hollow cradle within which the heel-supporting pad is mounted, a block on which the cradle -is mounted, a pair of parallel links between the pad box base and the block to enable vertical movement of the block and supporting pad with the shoe relatively to the pad box -base as pressure is imparted to the shoe bottom, and resilient means to thrust the block relatively to the pad box base while enabling relative yielding movement of the block as the sole of the shoe is compressed. v

t4. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to a heel seat portion of the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a shoe forepart pad in the pad box, shoe-engaging and holding -devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box and pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box and the holding devices to impart a pressure on the shoe bottom, in combination with a separate pad acting on an outsole along an areaof the shank extending rearwardly of the ball of a shoe engaging the forepart pad, and means for resisting rearward pressure of the shank-engaging pad on the heel, comprising a third pad surrounding the rearward curved surface of the heel, a hollow cradle within which the heel-supporting pad is mounted, a block on .which the cradle is mounted, a pair of parallel links between the pad box base and the block to enable relative vertical movement of the block and supporting pad with the shoe as pressure -is imparted to the shoe bottom, resilient means to thrust the block while enabling yielding movement thereof as the sole of the shoe is cornpressed, and a platform projecting from the block into a position where it will be engaged by the shoe heel to locate the shoe initially at a proper position where the best results will be obtained upon application of pressure to the sole.

15. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, a first dilatable uid-containing shank pad in the pad box base shaped to engage the breast of the heel on a shoe being operated upon, an adjustable mounting for the pad box on the base to enable the fluid-containing pad to be shifted relatively to the sole pad, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box, pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement bietween the pad box base and the holding devices and another fluid-containing pad mounted in the pad box at a position to support the rearward surface of the heel of the shoe, in combination with fiexible pipe connected at least in part between the fluid-containing pads to enable the pressures on both to be equalized during compression of a shoe between the sole pad and the first fluid-containing pad on the one hand and the shoe-engaging and holding devices on the other.

16. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, a first dilatable Huid-containing shank pad in the pad box base shaped to engage the breast of the heel on a shoe being operated upon, an adjustable mounting for the pad box on the base to enable the Huid-containing pad to be shifted relatively to the sole pad, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box, pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box base and the holding devices and another fluid-containing pad mounted in the pad box at a position to support the rearward surface of the heel of the shoe, in combination with fiexible pipe connected at least in part between the Huid-containing pads to enable the pressures on both to be equalized during compression of a shoe between the sole pad and the first huid-containing pad on the one hand and the shoe-engaging and holding devices on the other, and a fluid-containing pressure receiving pad mounted in the pad box base for engagement with the pad box under pressure of the pressure applying means, said flexible pipe being connected from the pressure receiving pad to the other two pads to induce pressures in said other two fluid-containing pads corresponding to that produced by the pressure of the pressure applying means.

17. A machine for applying pressure to a high-heeled shoe bottom and simultaneously to the breast of a heel attached to the shoe bottom, said machine having a frame, a pad box, a base for the pad box, a solid compressible forepart pad in the pad box, a first dilatable Huid-containing shanl; pad in the pad box base shaped to engage the breast of the heel on a shoe being operated upon, an adjustable mounting for the pad box on the base to enable the huid-containing pad to be shifted relatively to the sole pad, shoe-engaging and holding devices mounted in the frame opposite the pad box, pressure applying means in the frame for causing relative movement between the pad box base and the holding devices, and another fluidcontaining pad mounted in the pad box at a position to support the rearward surface of the heel of the shoe, in combination with flexible pipe connected at least in part between the fluid-containing pads to enable the pressures on both to be equalized during compression of a shoe between the sole pad and the first fluid-containing pad on the one hand and the shoe-engaging and holding devices on the other, a fluid-containing pressure receiving pad mounted in the pad box base for engagement with the pad box under pressure of the pressure-applying means, said flexible pipe being connected from the pressure receiving pad to the other two pads to induce pressure in said other two huid-containing pads corresponding to that produced by the pressure of the pressure applying means, and a carriage slidable in the pad box base on which the heel-supporting pad is mounted for movement toward and from the heel of the shoe to oppose the force of the fluid-containing shank pad.

18. A shoe machine for simultaneously laying a sole and heel breast flap, said machine comprising two relatively movable fluid filled pads, the first pad being shaped to bear against the sole and heel breast of a shoe, the second pad being shaped to bear against the back of the heel of the shoe, a fluid actuator of the cylinder and piston type to relatively move one pad toward the other in a direction longitudinal of lthe shoe, and means including a flexible hose connecting the fiuid filled interiors of the two pads in order to equalize the pressures therein.

19. A shoe machine for simultaneously laying a sole and heel breast flap, said machine comprising two relatively movable water filled pads, the first water pad being shaped to bear against the sole and heel breast of a shoe, the second water pad being shaped to bear against the back of the heel of the shoe, motor means to relatively move one pad toward the other in a direction longitudinal of the shoe, and means including a flexible hose connecting the water filled interiors of the two pads in order to equalize the pressures therein.

2-0. A shoe machine for simultaneously laying a sole and heel breast fiap, said machine comprising two relatively movable fiuid filled pads, the first pad being shaped to bear against the sole and heel breast flap of a shoe, the

-second pad being shaped to bear against the back of the heel of the shoe, a iiuid actuator of the cylinder and piston type to carry both pads and to exert a pressure against a lasted shoe in a direction generally perpendicular to the sole, and means including a flexible hose connected to the uid filled interiors of the two pads in order to help determine the pressures therein.

Ryan Dec. 9, 1941 Gulbrandsen Sept. 6, 1955 

1. A MACHINE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO A HIGH-HEELED SHOE BOTTOM AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE BREAST OF A HEEL ATTACHED TO A HEEL SEAT PORTION OF THE SHOE BOTTOM, SAID MACHINE HAVING A FRAME, A PAD BOX, A BASE FOR THE PAD BOX, A SOLID COMPRESSIBLE FOREPART PAD IN THE PAD BOX, SHOE-ENGAGING AND HOLDING DEVICES IN THE FRAME OPPOSITE THE PAD BOX AND PRESSURE-APPLYING MEANS IN THE FRAME FOR CAUSING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PAD BOX AND THE HOLDING DEVICES, IN COMBINATION WITH A SEPARATE PAD MEANS CONTAINING FLUID IN THE PAD BOX ACTING PROGRESSIVELY ON AN OUTSOLE ALONG AN AREA OF THE SHANK EXTENDING REARWARDLY OF THE BALL OF A SHOE ENGAGING THE FOREPART PAD WITH A PRESSURE BEGINNING AT THE BALL OF THE SHOE AND CONTINUING ALONG THE SHANK TO THE HEEL SEAT PORTION OF THE SHOE BOTTOM. 